Minister Macpherson eyes unused military bases as solution to Cape Town housing crisis

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure plans to unlock prime military real estate to address Cape Town’s extreme housing backlog.

Estimates suggested that the sites could accommodate thousands of housing units, particularly Wingfield and Youngsfield.

Department Minister Dean Macpherson said the government is formalising its discussions with the South African National Defence Force to declare the land surplus to their needs.

“People are living in informal settlements along the edges of these areas because we don't have land to build mixed development houses."

Macpherson is optimistic about the process, aiming to have a clear policy direction and proclamation by the end of the year, enabling construction to start.

He explained that the vision was to create viable human settlements and economic opportunities, rather than just keeping unused military land.

"We're not interested in closing down an active air force base… we are looking at rationalising the five military bases in the City of Cape Town… We're also looking at military land in the northern part of Pretoria that's not being utilised.

“This is an access to human settlements question. And I think that the response that I've received so far really indicates that people get this as an answer to a growing problem in South Africa, which is a lack of opportunities and lack of access to housing across the country."

To listen to Macpherson in conversation with CapeTalk’s John Maytham, use the audio player below: